Parrots are part of the order Psittaciformes, which includes more than 350 species of birds, including parakeets, macaws, cockatiels and cockatoos, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
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| What You Need to Know Before Getting a Parrot as a Pet? |
Although there are many types of parrots, all parrot species have a few traits in common. For example, to be classified as a parrot, the bird must have a curved beak and its feet must be zygodactylous, indicating that each foot has four toes, two of which point backward and two of which point forward.
This is an informative article. Nodisk One is not permitted to make a diagnosis or recommend any form of veterinary care. If your pet is in pain or ill, we recommend that you take him to the vet.
Parrot life span
The lifespan of a parrot varies according to its species, and in general, the lifespan of a parrot ranges between short lifespans of about 10 years, and longer lives that can reach 70 years or more.
Life span of small parrots
Young parrots can live up to 18 years, which is a relatively long lifespan. In contrast, a Quaker can live for 25 to 30 years, while a Parrotlet typically lives for 15 to 20 years.
Life span of medium-sized parrots
The average lifespan of medium-sized cockatiel parrots is about 25-30 years, while the lifespan of the Lorie or Lorikeet of this species is about 15-20 years, and lovebirds of parrots are under the medium-sized category. It has the shortest lifespan, lasting around 10 years or so.
Life span of large parrots
Large parrots often have long lifespans; well-cared-for species like macaws and amazons can reach ages of up to 100. Other species, including the African Gray Parrot and the Conure, which have average lifespans of around 25 years and occasionally reach 40 years or a little longer, also come into this category.
Factors affecting the lifespan of a parrot
There are many factors that affect the average lifespan of a parrot within the same species, and parrots that live in nature have a lower average lifespan than those provided with home care; This is due to its exposure to many different conditions that increase its disease or exposure to predators, and the most important of these factors are the following:
Place of living
The parrot's living place is considered one of the most important factors that contribute to extending its average life, the more suitable the place and the health specifications of the bird, the better results in terms of its health.
It is preferable if the area designated for it is suitable so that the parrot can spread its wings and move around without restriction. It is important to take care not to expose any containers holding liquids or warm water, as well as any unstable or stable surfaces, as these could injure the parrot as it moves.
Nutrition
The right diet increases a parrot's lifespan and ensures that it is in excellent health for the entirety of its life. The most crucial healthy foods for a parrot are seeds, grains, and nuts, along with fresh fruits and vegetables.
It should be noted that sunflower seeds are not the main component of the diet of grains; this is because they are high in fat, which is bad for the parrot's health.
Cleanliness
The person taking care of the parrot must take care to maintain personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene; To protect the latter from the transmission of germs that can cause him diseases and weaken his general health, it is also crucial to take care of the cleanliness of the parrot's cage, which provides a suitable healthy environment for it.
Medical care
It is preferable to visit the veterinarian periodically even if there is no apparent problem on the parrot, as there may be unnoticed problems that can worsen and become difficult to deal with, as one of the most prominent characteristics of the parrot and birds in general is that they try to hide their weakness or disease and this may harm them if not There was no continuous follow-up and periodic medical examination.
The most famous old parrots
The following are some of the oldest and most well-known parrots:
Parrot Alex
Alex's parrot, known for its remarkable ability to imitate bird sounds, lived for 31 years.
Parrot cookie
Cookie the parrot was famous for its longevity; It set the Guinness World Records record for having achieved the longest lifespan of a living parrot in its time; it was 83 years old when cookie passed away in 2016.
Estimated ages of common parrots
There is a general rule that the larger the size of the bird, the longer its lifespan. The following data represent some estimated ages of common parrots that depend on a healthy bird living in ideal conditions:
- African Gray Parrots live 40 - 60 years or more.
- The lifespan of an Amazon parrot is 25 to 75 years.
- Budgerigars live from 5 to about 18 years.
- Caiques May be live up to 50 years old.
- Cockatiels live from 10 to 15 years.
- Cockatoos live between 20 to 60 years, depending on the species.
- Conures live between 10 to 30 years, depending on the species.
- Eclectus Parrots lives 30 to 50 years or more.
- Lories Parrots (Lorikeets) live from 10 to 30 years.
- Macaws live between 30 - 50 years depending on the species.
- Senegal Parrots live on average 50 years, and in the wild it may reach 25 years.
- Pionus Parrots live about 25 years.
Depending on their size and kind, parrots can live 10 to 80 years, and their longevity is influenced by the level of care they receive in terms of food, hygiene, living quarters, and medical attention. As they are more susceptible, they dwell outside in the natural environment.
The original home of parrots
Parrots were kept as a pet by the ancient Romans in Brazil about 5,000 years ago, and they first appeared in Europe in 327 BC due to their green nature.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the hobby of raising small parrots called Budgerigars as pets began to appear in the United States, and currently there are approximately 8 million parrots kept as pets.
Statistics indicate that 60% of parrots die while sailing with bird traders when transporting them from one country to another, and 30% of parrot species are in danger of extinction, and 56% are exposed to a deterioration in their health conditions.
Parrot spread around the world
The following is a detail of the spread of parrots around the world:
Australia
Australia is home to 1 in 10 rare bird species around the world, which may number up to 10,000 species, as the nature of the region is characterized by its forests.
Australia has the largest diversity of parrot species in the world, as it contains one of the most endangered species of orange called the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster).
Mexico
Mexico is characterized by a warm climate, which is the appropriate climate for the breeding of wild parrots, specifically in the northern region of Mexico,
In Mexico, there are different types of parrots, numbering up to 22 species, which breed in rainforests such as; Red-Lored Parrot, Scarlet Macaw, Mealy Parrot and Military Macaw.
South America
The region is semi-tropical, which constitutes a suitable environment for the presence and reproduction of parrots. South America includes a large gathering of all kinds of parrots, and the most famous species in it are; monk parakeet
Central America
Central America has a large diversity of parrots, specifically in the region of Nicaragua, which is a tropical region, and contains forests, wet areas bordering the Caribbean and conical volcanoes, which is a suitable environment for parrots.
In Central America, there are approximately 14 species of parrots, most notably; The family Psittacidae, in addition to large species such as; The Great Green Macaw and the beautiful Scarlet Macaw.
Only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, are used by Nordisk One to substantiate the information in our articles.
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